Sell Your Stuff and Other Creative Ways to Boost Your Income

These past couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about saving money to help you reach your financial goals. I shared 48 ideas to help you cut expenses and trim your spending.

Today, let’s dive in to brainstorming ways to boost your income.

My husband Mike and I have paid off more than $87,000 of debt in 20 months on a single, middle class income, and we couldn’t have done it without getting creative and boosting our income.

We’ve sold a lot of things on Craigslist and eBay and had some very successful garage sales. And we’ve also boosted our income in other ways.

Now I want you to brainstorm ideas for boosting your income.

Make two lists — one titled “Items I Can Sell” and one labeled “Additional Income Possibilities.”

Items to Sell

Visit every room and closet of your house and list at least ten items that you could try to sell. Check your garage and outside your house, too.

You’ll probably find some things you forgot you had when you look in your storage bins. Those might be good options to add to your list.

If you don’t use it, love it, or need it, then put it on the list!

Maybe you’re crafty and could make things to sell. Or perhaps you have long hair you could sell like Miriam. Add those items to the list, as well.

We have found success by selling items on Craigslist and eBay. There are also local Facebook groups that have been specifically created for selling items to others. And new apps are popping up everyday to make this process easier.

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. You’re not going to act on every idea at this moment. You’re just creating a master list of ideas that you could potentially implement in the future.

Other Ways to Boost Your Income

Next, write down some ideas for bringing in a little more income.

This could include applying for a promotion at work or looking for a different job.

It could be as simple as completing the annual health assessment online from your health insurance company.

Or perhaps you could babysit for your neighbors once a week or mow someone’s lawn.

I’ve earned hundreds of dollars in Amazon and Target gift cards over the last year with Swagbucks, mostly by clicking through articles and watching videos.

It is a legitimate online service where you earn Swagbucks (they’re like points) for completing specified tasks. Swagbucks can be redeemed for gift cards to help reduce your out-of-pocket spending.

Take Action

Once you’ve listed at least ten things to sell and ten ways to earn more money, congratulate yourself for your efforts! You now have at least forty ways to cut your spending and increase your income!

Now, pick two items from your lists to implement this week. Share them with your spouse or accountability partner and get moving on those by the end of the week.

Next week choose two items from your expenses you can cut and trim your spending lists to implement.

Continue this process of putting two ideas into action each week. Put the extra money toward your debt, and enjoy watching your net worth go up while your debt balances go down!

Each day you take action, you move yourself one step closer to true financial freedom.

What About You?

Participate in the conversation. What creative ways have you used to boost your income? What are your favorite methods for making some extra cash? Share in the comments below.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”